Language and Cultural Studies Division
Master's Programs
Ibero-American Cultural Studies Course
Exploring the vast region of Ibero-America
The Ibero-American region is both geographically vast and culturally diverse, encompassing a variety of worldviews from across the globe. Vast in every sense, many places in the region also remain untouched, thereby making Ibero-America the ideal target for study and research. Though Ibero-America is a long way from Japan, it is closely connected to our society, and we are extremely familiar with it; for instance, Francis Xavier’s venture to Japan in the 16th century, trade with Portugal and Spain in the 17th century, and Japanese immigration to Latin America, which began as early as the late 19th century. Study of this cultural sphere ought to contribute immensely to the Japanese society, which, in contrast to this diverse region, is highly homogenous and has recently faced problems in the areas of multicultural coexistence and understanding.
The Ibero-American Cultural Studies Course has three core research fields. Research on Ibero-American Literature/Culture includes literature and other cultural phenomena of Spain and Latin America; on Ibero-American Area Studies, the histories, societies, and political/economic conditions of the region in entirety and/or individual countries within the region; and on Spanish Linguistics, diachronic and synchronic study with an understanding that while Spanish is a language that connects this vast region, it is not monolithic but exhibits variation across the region.
When we learn about the vast region of Ibero-America, we also learn about its diversity. Viewing the world through such a lens brings about new perspectives and ideas. As Kansai Gaidai University has a Department of Spanish Studies, it boasts excellent researchers with expertise in the Ibero-American region. We invite you to join these educators in exploring the region and the new worldviews it embodies.
Japanese Linguistics and Language Teaching Course
Engaging with issues in Japanese linguistics and Japanese language teaching
In the era of globalization and international exchange, language plays an important role, and the interest in Japanese has been increasing year-by-year. Consequently, Japanese language teaching in support of Japanese language learning has grown in importance, and as the foundation on which this discipline is based, research on Japanese language (Japanese linguistics) must also be promoted. With this situation in mind, the Japanese Linguistics and Language Teaching Course aims to meet the current demands in the closely related disciplines of Japanese linguistics and Japanese language teaching.
The course is characterized by a unique approach that witnesses native and nonnative speakers of Japanese collaborate within the same learning spaces to examine the Japanese language from both inside and outside. When attempting to grasp the Japanese language objectively, it is effective and meaningful to work within an environment where internal and external perspectives intersect. This naturally results in a line of inquiry that seeks to identify the characteristic features of the Japanese language through contrast with other languages.
Japanese is well-researched in terms of languages globally, and as such, the conditions required to engage in research are already in place. Investigations into a wide range of issues in Japanese language teaching are continuing, contributing to a long history of research in the field. Building on these research accomplishments, the Japanese Linguistics and Language Teaching Course offers subjects on Japanese language research, such as Research in Japanese Linguistics, Special Research in Japanese Linguistics, and Contrastive Linguistics, and subjects on Japanese language teaching, such as Japanese Language Teaching and Research in Second-Language Acquisition Theory. The department is also committed to providing research guidance on a one-to-one basis.
International exchange is likely to become even more important in the future. Students are invited to develop their capacity to handle issues in Japanese linguistics and Japanese language teaching independently through study in this course.
Global Communication Course
Nurturing global individuals truly needed by the international community
As the international movement of people, things, and information intensifies with the development of information and communication technology, countries are becoming increasingly interdependent. However, despite this increasing borderlessness, global problems such as international conflicts, disparities, and global warming are growing more pronounced. Now more than ever before, the world needs individuals who can address these issues seriously.
The goal of the Global Communication course is to nurture global individuals who will play an active role in the international community and contribute to its development through various activities after completing the course.
There are three requirements for becoming a global individual. First, to understand the mechanisms by which the international community operates; second, to respect diverse values through understanding of cultures, ethnic groups, histories, and religions of different countries and develop a sense that we are living together as partners in the international community; and third, to develop excellent communication skills supported by advanced linguistic ability.
The key characteristic of the Global Communication Course is the design of its curriculum to help students meet these three requirements. For the first requirement, students consider subjects in International Relations to analyze the situation of the world, International Development to analyze the problems faced by developing countries, and Japan’s Economic Experiences to analyze the Japanese economic system. For the second requirement, students consider subjects in which they study Japanese culture from various angles while comparing it to the cultures of other countries. For the third requirement, all subjects are taught in English, including those designed to help students develop advanced English skills as well as communication skills required to convey their ideas effectively. As a few Japanese universities offer master’s programs taught entirely in English, the course has attracted considerable attention.
Moreover, students are provided the opportunity for practical learning through global internships that make use of networks of faculty and graduates active in a wide range of fields, as well as overseas sister schools. In addition, as a completion requirement, students can choose to write a master’s thesis or complete an internship as a special research project.
We look forward to welcoming students who are keen to grow as global individuals and play an active role in the international community.
Class Subjects, etc.
| Category | Subject | Year | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialized subjects | Spanish Linguistics A | 1 | 2 |
| Spanish Linguistics B | 1 | 2 | |
| Research in Ibero-American Literature/Culture A | 1 | 2 | |
| Research in Ibero-American Literature/Culture B | 1 | 2 | |
| Ibero-American Area Studies A | 1 | 2 | |
| Ibero-American Area Studies B | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Language and Culture A | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Language and Culture B | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Language and Culture C | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Language and Culture D | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Language and Culture E | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Language and Culture F | 1 | 2 | |
| Research in Japanese Linguistics A | 1 | 4 | |
| Research in Japanese Linguistics B | 1 | 4 | |
| Special Research in Japanese Linguistics A | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Japanese Linguistics B | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Japanese Linguistics C | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Japanese Linguistics D | 1 | 2 | |
| Japanese Expression | 1 | 2 | |
| Contrastive Linguistics | 1 | 2 | |
| Japanese Pedagogy A | 1 | 2 | |
| Japanese Pedagogy B | 1 | 2 | |
| Global Communication A | 1 | 2 | |
| Global Communication B | 1 | 2 | |
| International Business Communication A | 1 | 2 | |
| International Business Communication B | 1 | 2 | |
| International Relations A | 1 | 2 | |
| International Relations B | 1 | 2 | |
| Studies in Japanese Culture A | 1 | 2 | |
| Studies in Japanese Culture B | 1 | 2 | |
| Intensive Training in Professional English | 1 | 2 | |
| Multimodal Presentation | 1 | 2 | |
| Japan's Economic Experiences | 1 | 2 | |
| International Development | 1 | 2 | |
| Syntax A | 1 | 2 | |
| Syntax B | 1 | 2 | |
| Semantics A | 1 | 2 | |
| Semantics B | 1 | 2 | |
| Research in English Linguistic History | 1 | 2 | |
| Research in Phonetics/Phonology | 1 | 2 | |
| Research in Second-Language Acquisition Theory | 1 | 2 | |
| Communicative Grammar | 1 | 2 | |
| Specialized seminar classes | Seminar I A | 1 | 2 |
| Seminar I B | 1 | 2 | |
| Seminar II A | 2 | 2 | |
| Seminar II B | 2 | 2 | |
| Master’s Thesis | 2 | 4 | |
| Special Research Project | 2 | 4 |
Doctoral Program
Applying research on language and culture primarily to language teaching
Language is culture’s code, and culture is language’s rail. Language reflects and records unique climates and cultures of a national or ethnic group, while culture is closely intertwined in various ways with the development of its language.
Research in language and culture begins with the hypothesis that culture ought to be embedded within words. Words are created within a culture and pass through history as they develop. It can be stated that we stand at the juncture between words and culture as we live our lives surrounded by words.
Students in the doctoral program will study basic research methods in semantics and pragmatics—important research fields whose primary interest is to describe the mechanisms of language—and explore possibilities for applying these methods to the teaching of Japanese, Chinese, and other foreign languages.
They will also compare and contrast Japanese, Chinese, English, and other languages from both linguistic and cultural perspectives and explore “forms of human cognition” by engaging with words, as they live and breathe within their cultures through a wide range of specific examples in linguistic and cultural research.
Students in the program will receive comprehensive guidance and advice on the key components of doctoral research, namely, collection and analysis of linguistic data, formulation of hypotheses from linguistic facts, writing of theses and reference lists, and methods for research presentations and discussions at academic societies.
Class Subjects, etc.
| Category | Subject | Year | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialized subjects | Special Research in Language and Culture I A | 1 | 2 |
| Special Research in Language and Culture I B | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Language and Culture II A | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Language and Culture II B | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Japanese Linguistics I A | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Japanese Linguistics I B | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Japanese Linguistics II A | 1 | 2 | |
| Special Research in Japanese Linguistics II B | 1 | 2 | |
| Specialized seminar classes | Special Seminar I A | 2 | 2 |
| Special Seminar I B | 2 | 2 | |
| Special Seminar II A | 3 | 2 | |
| Special Seminar II B | 3 | 2 | |
| Elective subjects | Higher Education Theory | 1 | 2 |
| Academic Career Development | 1 | 2 |
Message from the Faculty
Associate Professor Yeonkwon Jung Language and Cultural Studies Course
Reserch the theoretical foundations and practical knowledge of contemporary English business communications
English Business Communication (EBC) is an academic discipline to focus on text and talk in the context of business. As an umbrella term, EBC covers the key areas that communication professionals need to manage, such as (1) management communication, (2) organizational communication, (3) corporate communication, and (4) international communication. Management communication teaches the communicative activities and/or the knowledge sharing skills of managers. Organizational communication studies how the context of the organization influences communication processes. Corporate communication investigates (strategic) communication to boost, maintain, and restore the corporate image. Finally, international communication seeks to understand form and function of English as a Lingua Franca in multinational or multicultural business.
Among the subdisciplines, my EBC course, so-called Global Communication Research, pays particular attention to international communication. It provides the theoretical foundations and practical knowledge of contemporary EBC research across cultures. On the one hand, EBC discusses the nature of Business English as a Lingua Franca (BELF) communication and attempts to analyze what the potential communication problems are in BELF encounters that the interactants need to deal with for communication success. As methodologies in research on BELF encounters, EBC adopts genre analysis and pragmatics in order to explicate how they are applicable to the BELF data. On the other hand, it also introduces a variety of EBC research work across continents (i.e. similarities and differences between American and European business communication).
